African-American women speak: A sociological study of working class women who achieved through higher education.
Item
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Title
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African-American women speak: A sociological study of working class women who achieved through higher education.
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Identifier
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AAI9431349
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identifier
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9431349
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Creator
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Andujar, Martha Felton.
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Contributor
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Adviser: Stephen Steinberg
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Date
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1994
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Sociology, Ethnic and Racial Studies | Women's Studies | Social Work | Education, Higher | Sociology, Public and Social Welfare | Black Studies
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Abstract
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The purpose of this research was to examine the experiences of eleven African American females that moved from the working class to the middle class through the process of acquiring higher education. The study was designed to answer the question of what factors account for the achievement of these working class African Americans who were from economically impoverished families, residing in New York City. Life history interviews were used, and the findings from this data revealed that four factors were needed in order to make the transition, namely: (1) a significant other-investor, (2) moral or religious values (3) a positive early school experience, and (4) a structural opportunity. The findings revealed that without the structural opportunity, the respondents would have been unable to acquire higher education.;Two levels of policy changes are recommended. The first level recommends the creation of a Federal Agency called the Department of Family Entitlement, which would assist families having difficulty meeting the physical and emotional needs of their families. This department must be a cabinet level position in order to accomplish the necessary goals. Such a program would require the assistance of sociologists, social workers, and other related disciplines to implement the program. In terms of the delivery of services, the social work profession has the necessary training for working with families, and advocating for them.;The second level of recommendation is presented in the event that the government does not utilize the first level approach. This recommendation is for placing additional social workers in the public school system to work with the children and families, when they initially enter the system.;In addition, the researcher recommends that the Black community actively and aggressively pursue the goal of organizing their people in order to engage more effectively in the struggle for justice and equality. Historically and presently, the Black Church has remained the strongest institution in Black America, and because of this fact, the researcher suggests utilizing the Black Church and its leadership to pursue an agenda that works toward economic equality and justice.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
